Senate Good Green Deeds
These Senators have demonstrated their commitment to the environment in an especially critical way on a specific bill or a number of issues.
Sen. Jim Hargrove (D-24)
Senator Hargrove has become the surprise gift that keeps on giving when it comes to the community’s work on climate change. Who would have predicted that this “old guard” veteran from the Olympic Peninsula would continue to stand up as one of the Senate’s principal leaders on climate change issues? Yet Senator Hargrove was the Governor’s “go-to guy” on the Cap and Invest climate priority bill in 2009, and he continues to lead the charge by convincing his colleagues that by tackling climate change now, we can also stimulate our natural resource-rich rural economies at the same time.
Sen. Mike Hewitt (R-16)
As the Senate’s Minority Leader, Senator Mike Hewitt meets regularly with the environmental community in Olympia. Through his leadership over the past few years, the Republican caucus has led the effort against raiding of the Model Toxics Control Account (MTCA) in order to preserve those dollars for toxic cleanup. In 2010, he worked alongside Senator Jim Honeyford (R-15) to solidify his caucus in fighting attempts to roll back the renewable energy tax credits that had been passed in 2009. Those efforts fell just short on close votes on floor amendments, but nevertheless they are worthy of praise. Senator Hewitt also voted for the Safe Baby Bottle priority in its strongest form. We are optimistic that these are all signs of more good things to come.
Sen. Karen Keiser (D-33)
As the prime sponsor of the Safe Baby Bottle Act, Senator Keiser showed tenacity in her ability to steer the bill to the Governor’s desk in 2010 after a two-year fight. Although her Senate Health Committee did not initially have the votes to pass the strong version of this historic legislation, Senator Keiser persevered and ultimately won. She also defied many in her own party by not supporting a bill that would have decimated I-937, the citizens’ Clean Energy Initiative. Her work on behalf of the environment is to be commended.
Sen. Ed Murray (D-43)
As the prime sponsor of the Clean Water Act of 2010, Senator Murray took on the oil lobby in one of the biggest fights in Olympia. Although the bill came up short, he has committed to taking on these special interests once again in 2011. We appreciate having Senator Murray fighting alongside us in the face of substantial opposition from Big Oil as we strive to address our state’s number one water pollution problem.
Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R-12)
As a leader of Senate Republicans and through her work supporting the development of the clean energy sector, Senator Parlette has been working this biennium to build bridges with the environmental community. She supported the Safe Baby Bottle priority in 2010 despite strong opposition from parts of the business community. We recognize these “good green deeds” and look forward to continuing to build a stronger relationship with her in coming years.
Sen. Kevin Ranker (D-40)
Senator Ranker came to the Senate steeped in knowledge of ocean and shorelines policy and with a demonstrated commitment to the environment. In 2010, he was the prime sponsor of a successful bill to eliminate copper brake pads in order to protect the health of our waterways. Senator Ranker also helped craft the deal that ensured passage of the Safe Baby Bottle Act in 2010. He is an emerging environmental leader in Olympia.
Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-23)
Despite being in the unenviable position of chairing a Senate environmental committee dominated by conservative voices, Senator Rockefeller was able to help pass many of the environmental community’s most important bills over the past two years. He is the Senate’s leader on cleaning up Puget Sound and worked closely with the environmental community in seeking passage of the Clean Water Act in 2010. He was also one of the community’s strongest supporters for passing comprehensive climate change legislation in 2009.
